We were thrilled to host the recent Johns Hopkins Medicine International Partners Forum, an annual meeting that brings together leaders, care providers and researchers from our nearly 20 affiliates in 15 countries. Looking at the past 20 years of my involvement with Johns Hopkins Medicine International when these relationships developed, this is an event I(...)
Middle East
Voicing a Silent Epidemic
Posted by | Academic Medicine, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Medical Education, Middle East, Patient Safety, ResearchBlood clots cause the world’s top three cardiovascular killers, and they are the leading cause of preventable death during a hospital stay. Altogether, blood clots kill more people each year than AIDS, breast cancer and car crashes combined. Continuing our discussion on accreditation and uniform health standards in our globalized world, regulatory agencies around the(...)
Accreditation Brings Rigor
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Latin America, Medical Education, Middle East, Patient Care, Patient Safety, ResearchLike me, you probably check reviews before trying a new restaurant or hotel. If we research these small decisions, it’s only logical that when it comes to big decisions like choosing a health care provider, we look for both qualitative and quantitative data to guide our choices. Accreditation is one set of standards we use(...)
Delving Into a Disaster Drill
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Medical Education, Middle East, Patient Care, Patient SafetyAs we began our work with Al Rahba Hospital in the United Arab Emirates, leaders there laid out their main priorities—clinical care, research and education—which are the foundation of much of our international collaborative work. However, Al Rahba had an additional request: support for emergency preparedness. The hospital is located near a major highway between(...)
Best Preparation for Worst-Case Scenarios
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Latin America, Medical Education, Middle East, Patient SafetyThe devastating wake of hurricanes across the United States and Caribbean. Two destructive earthquakes striking central Mexico within a two-week span. Deadly outbreaks of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome across Saudi Arabia, UAE and other countries in the region. Multiple terrorist attacks in Spain. These are real examples of recent emergencies affecting all corners of the(...)
Putting Nurses First
Posted by | Collaboration, Health Care Leadership Development, Medical Education, Middle East, Nurse Development, Patient CareMy colleague John Ulatowski wrote about the inherent risk of homogenization as we share ideas about health and the delivery of health care around the world. At Johns Hopkins, we do our best to listen and learn before we begin an international affiliation, rather than foisting pre-conceived ideas and processes that work here or in the(...)
Hazards of Homogeneity
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Latin America, Medical Education, Middle East, Nurse Development, Patient Care, Patient SafetyWe agree on the benefits of health care globalization: more uniform standards of patient safety, growth of telemedicine, greater access to lifesaving treatments, immediate information about care and wellness. But are we overlooking a possible drawback: the homogenization of health care? You may like knowing you can get the same Starbucks coffee whether you’re in(...)